NYC News

Mayor Adams Proposes "Bold New Vision" for Coney Island
March 1, 2025, 3:45.05 pm ET

Print

Rendering: ONE Architecture & Urbanism.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is doubling down on his push to transform Coney Island, unveiling a sweeping redevelopment plan that will bring 1,500 new mixed-income homes, a $42 million overhaul of the Abe Stark Sports Center, and long-overdue reconstruction of the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk. The mayor, who first teased the initiative in his fourth State of the City address, is pitching it as a game-changer for Brooklyn’s historic seaside neighborhood.

“Coney Island is America’s playground—home to iconic venues, small businesses, and a hardworking community,” said Adams.

The plan kicks off with a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a massive 500-plus unit housing development on “Parcel A,” an 80,000-square-foot city-owned site on Surf Avenue, just west of the amusement district. At least 25% of these units will be affordable, and the project will include ground-floor retail to support local businesses.

But housing is only part of the vision. The city is also releasing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to find a design-build team for the Abe Stark Sports Center’s $42 million renovation. The upgrades will include a new entrance from the boardwalk, signage, improved ice-skating facilities, and other amenities.

Beyond these projects, Mayor Adams has committed to a phased reconstruction of the legendary Riegelmann Boardwalk. The city plans to elevate portions of the boardwalk to enhance coastal resilience against climate change while keeping it a welcoming space for visitors and residents alike.

Councilmember Justin Brannan, whose district includes Coney Island, emphasized that the project is about more than just tourism. “The City of New York has touted Coney Island’s amusement and tourism role as America’s Playground since the dawn of time. That’s great! But we need to look out for the people who call Coney Island home 12 months out of the year and not just the visitors in the summertime,” said Brannan. "This is the kind of investment it takes to make sure housing is available and truly affordable to the people of and from our community, and that great jobs and shopping are accessible to the people who live and breathe that Coney Island sea breeze every single day."

The broader redevelopment effort, dubbed “Coney Island West,” is an extension of previous affordable housing efforts in the area, including the Surf Vets Place and Raven Hall projects, which opened in 2019 and 2022. Another development, Luna Green, is currently under construction. New roads, including Ocean Way and Parachute Way, will further connect these new developments, creating a more walkable and accessible neighborhood.

Coney Island’s transformation also includes measures to prepare for climate change. A $2.1 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will help mitigate flooding risks along Coney Island Creek. The city is exploring additional shoreline enhancements to protect against rising sea levels.

With this ambitious plan, the Adams administration is betting big on Coney Island’s future. If all goes according to plan, the neighborhood will no longer just be a summer hot spot but a thriving, livable community for New Yorkers year-round.


^Top